Car Rental - Bari

Perched on the heel of the Italian boot, renting a car in Bari unlocks the best of a splendid maritime city - and offers you a gateway to the wonderful Puglia region. The atmospheric historic old town and mouth-watering seafood are the perfect introduction to south-east Italy.

Discover this sun-soaked part of the country at your leisure by driving out to picturesque towns and exploring the scenic coast. We have several pick-up points for Bari car rental in the city, including at the nearby airport, so however you are arriving in the city, you can start your journey the moment you touch down.

Browse our extensive range of vehicles online, pick out the perfect one for your vacation, and book car rental in Bari directly in advance. We'll aim to have you on the road, and enjoying your Italian adventure, as smoothly as possible.

Experience a different side of Italy when you visit Bari and surrounding Puglia. Rome may have a goldmine of history, Florence a wealth of treasured art and Bologna world-famous cuisine, but this region has all three – and more. Rent a car from Bari and discover Italy’s best kept secret.

Wandering along the charming, winding alleyways of Bari’s old town, you’ll find plenty of cafes and restaurants that serve up the city’s specialty – seafood. Paglionico Vini e Cucina is one of the best – and oldest – taverns to dine at. There’s no menu to flick through – simply order your pick of what’s being served up that day, such as fried calamari, grilled octopus and shrimp pasta, in a place that has been popular with locals since 1870.

Make time to pay a visit to the Basilica di San Nicola. This Norman-style church was built in the 12th century as a home for the remains of Saint Nicholas, which were stolen from what is now modern-day Turkey in the 11th century by Barese merchants. He’s better known today as the origin of Father Christmas.

Castello Normanno-Svevo is another stop to make while in Bari. Overlooking the Adriatic Sea, it was built in the 12th century to protect the city and its mighty bastions and thick walls still stand today. There are several car parks in the city center for you to leave your Bari rental car while you explore – some have daily rates while other charge around two euros per hour.

Alberobello is a day tripper favorite due to its unique ‘trulli’ homes. Don’t forget your camera – the architecture is remarkable, with whitewash limestone walls and conical roofs painted with various symbols. There are public parking areas dedicated to tourists in Zone B, where you can purchase flat-rate all-day parking for your Bari rental car.

Lecce attracts visitors all-year-round, thanks in part to its beautiful baroque architecture. Flamboyant churches and palaces appear as you wander the labyrinth of medieval passageways. Basilica di Santa Croce is one of its finest examples, with a breathtaking sculpted façade that took 100 years to create. Lecce is also a foodie paradise Come here to sample Pugliese cuisine at its finest, with trattorias serving up dishes ranging from broad bean purée with braised wild chicory to shrimp risotto. There are plenty of parking options in Lecce for your rental car from Bari – just be sure to have coins or a card to hand to pay for your spot.

Bari’s coastal location means there’s a wealth of nearby beaches to discover. Pop towels, a picnic and bucket and spades into the trunk of your rental car and set off to explore the Adriatic coast.

On the eastern edge of Bari is Pane e Pomodoro Beach, meaning you don’t need to travel far from the city to bask in the sunshine. You’ll find affordable parking close by for your Bari rental car and, if you’re staying for a while, you can save even more with a monthly parking pass.

If you’ve got time to go further afield, Cala Porto Beach in Polignano a Mare is a real beauty. It’s found in the heart of the town, where small white pebbles form the shoreline, fringed with blue-green waters and surrounded by dramatic hilltop buildings. Just down the coast is Lido Santo Stefano, another sun kissed sandy bay with beautiful green waters – perfect for swimming and snorkeling. 

With car rental in Bari, you can enjoy a feast of culture on vacation in this sensation slice of Italy. Start your Puglia journey in style – you’ll want to come back again and again.

Bari isn’t just a fantastic place in its own right - it’s also an ideal location if you want to explore the hidden gems of southern Italy by car, especially in an area where public transport can be unreliable. Give yourself the freedom to explore where and when you like when you rent a car from Bari.

The SS16 loops around the city, providing access to the suburbs. The Corso Vittorio Veneto snakes along the waterfront and takes you into the historic part of Bari. Make use of the parking lot just beyond Castello Normanno-Svevo for your holiday car rental, as the tight streets around here make it easier to explore the main sights on foot. While the old town is a souk-style warren of cobblestone lanes, the adjacent modern city was meticulously planned and is much easier to navigate as a driver.

Polignano a Mare is a 40-minute drive down the coast via the SS16 when you rent a car in Bari. The town itself is perched dramatically on a cliff high above the sparkling blue sea, but there are also several beaches here too, made for sun-seekers.

UNESCO-listed Alberobello is also under an hour away along the SS100 and SS172. This storybook town is like nothing you’ve ever seen before with its clutch of cone-shaped houses called ‘trulli’.

Historic Lecce is less than a two-hour drive away in your Bari rental car on the southbound SS16, SS379 and SS613. If you’ve got time to make this day trip, it’s worth it to see the city’s hoard of unique baroque architecture.

Vehicles travel on the right-hand side of the road in Italy, as back home. The Italian speed limit is typically 130km/h (80mph) for major freeways known as autostrade, and 50km/h (30mph) in urban areas, but always check signs as these can vary. Seat belts must be worn by the driver and all passengers.